could this actually be due to the fact that clowns are only used at hospitals, birthday parties and Stephen King books (not the novels)? The circus is barely a factor in the world today. In the 60's and 70's when I was growing up, the circuses travelled more and were on tv. Not just in krustyvision.
I loved clowns as a kid. I didn't find the image of clowns frightening until I was old enough to read Joker stories in the Batman comics (the one on TV didn't frighten me a whit).
But the fear is "universal", eh? Once again, proof that I'm not of this universe.
I'm not frightened by clowns, but I know a few people (including my wife) with serious coulrophobia. (Yes, the topic comes up often enough that I know what term to use.)
I was not afraid of them, but was very much aware that I didn't want to be picked to participate in their antics, as clown acts tend to involve humiliating themselves, each other, and their volunteers.
I think that's probably bullshit, or that it should be. A lot of adults these days buy into the "I'm fucked up and that makes me cool" trend. Part of that, for many people, is inventing weird phobias, of things like midgets, clowns, and other clearly harmless things. They broadcast these invented "fears" to the general public and their kids, and the kids pick up on them as something legitimate and emulates them.
As a kid, I found bad clowns annoying and wished they'd quit trying so hard. I always enjoyed the talented ones.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 02:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 02:53 pm (UTC)I loved clowns as a kid. I didn't find the image of clowns frightening until I was old enough to read Joker stories in the Batman comics (the one on TV didn't frighten me a whit).
But the fear is "universal", eh? Once again, proof that I'm not of this universe.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 02:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 03:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 03:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 03:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 03:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 05:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-16 09:58 pm (UTC)It's the whole idea of not knowing who/what is behind the make-up.
I also hated Halloween masks as a kid for the same reason.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-17 04:31 am (UTC)As a kid, I found bad clowns annoying and wished they'd quit trying so hard. I always enjoyed the talented ones.